Luggage bag with handle-activated wheel deployment system

ABSTRACT

A luggage bag ( 10 ) having a handle-activated wheel deployment system ( 11 ), which includes an extendable handle assembly ( 26 ) having a number of extendable members ( 25 ), and a cross piece ( 30 ) joining the extendable members ( 25 ). Also included is a number of extendable wheel assemblies ( 12 ) having extendable wheels ( 14 ) which are movable from a retracted position ( 78 ) to an extended position ( 76 ), and axel brackets ( 16 ) which are rotatable about a pivot ( 20 ). The axel bracket ( 16 ) also has at least one extension tab ( 74 ). An activation assembly ( 50 ) includes a linkage ( 49 ) which connects the extendable handle assembly ( 26 ) and at least one extendable wheel assembly ( 12 ), so that extension of the handle assembly ( 26 ) causes extension of the extendable wheels ( 14 ). The activation assembly ( 50 ) acts to move the extension tab ( 74 ) to pivot the wheels ( 14 ) to extend or retract.

[0001] The following non-provisional application claims priority fromprovisional patent application No. 60/301,690, filed Jun. 27, 2001,which has the same inventor as the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to carriers for luggage,and carts for transporting baggage.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Luggage is the traditional way that travelers have used to carryclothing and personal items while on vacations and business trips. Thestandard suitcase typically has one or more handles which are used tolift and carry the suitcase from place to place. In the past few years,an up-right style suitcase can been developed which has a built-in cartfor wheeling the suitcase around. This style typically has permanentlymounted exterior wheels and an extendable handle which telescopesoutward to allow the user to grasp and pull the handle without bendingover. The suitcase generally stands on one end so that it is taller in avertical direction than in a horizontal one, thus this style will bereferred to in this application as an “up-right suitcase”.

[0004] The up-right suitcase has proven to be very popular due to itsease of use and convenience. However, it has some disadvantages. Thewheels are typically permanently mounted to the lower rear corners ofthe suitcase. In order to allow the suitcase to stand upright whenparked, there are optionally two additional feet included on the bottomsurface, so that the suitcase rests on four contact points two wheelsand two feet. This adds additional height to the overall dimension ofthe suitcase. Of course it is a generally accepted principle thatluggage should be as compact as possible to make its transport as easyas possible, and its storage volume should be as small as possible. Thusthe additional height produced by the permanently extended wheels is anundesirable feature. Even for those up-right suitcases which do notadditional feet on the bottom, the permanently extended wheels still addto the overall height.

[0005] As any traveler knows, the handling of baggage can be rough attimes, and extended wheels are a prime target for damage, being both oneof the most protruding features of the luggage and one of the mostvulnerable. Wheels which are permanently extended present an opportunityfor them to snag on other external items, such as the handles of othersuitcases in a baggage compartment. In addition, wheels are generallysomewhat fragile, since the axial alignment of the wheels is importantto good operation, and axial alignment can be disrupted by blows to thewheels or their components.

[0006] It is therefore desirable that wheels on luggage are notpermanently extended to present a hazard to other items and themselves.However, it is not desirable that the wheels require a complex operationto disengage them or retract them from use. Certainly, a user wouldprobably find detachable wheels to be impractical both because thewheels could then become lost or stolen and because they would mostlikely be less stable, perhaps become loose with extended usage. Thusextendable wheels would be highly desirable, as long as the retractionand extension mechanism would preferably not require great effort by theuser. Travelers generally have a great number of details to deal with,and manipulating luggage wheels should not be an operation whichrequires much concentration.

[0007] There have been several prior luggage items which includeextendable wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,230 to Mayer, U.S. Pat. No.4,217,675 to Haft, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,402 to Brinker and U.S. Pat. No.5,956,805 to Huang all have extendable wheels which must be manuallydeployed as in Mayer and Haft, or extend and retract by pressing variousbuttons as in Brinker or depressing levers as in Huang. These havevarious disadvantages, as they require the user to manipulate thewheels, buttons or levers which are located at the bottom of the case,and may require stooping to reach them, or lift the luggage to aposition where the bottom is reachable.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,752 to King discloses a suitcase with wheelsthat extend or retract automatically by spring action, apparently notdirected by the motion of the handle.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,109 to Cowdery, U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,850 toKnowles and U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,400 to Chang disclose luggage caseswhich use handle-activated mechanisms to pivot wheels into extended orretracted position. These involve generally complicated mechanismsinvolving cams in order to move the wheels in response to movement bythe handle. Considering the rough handling that luggage cases oftenreceive, these complicated mechanisms may be vulnerable to damage orelse they must be heavily fortified, which of course increases theweight of the case.

[0010] Thus there is a need for luggage which has extendable wheels, sothat the wheels are protected from damage, and will not catch on otheritems in the environment. There is also a need for luggage in which theretraction mechanism operates smoothly and without the necessity for theuser to perform complex manipulations to extract the wheels fromhousings.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea luggage bag with a built-in cart which has extendable wheels.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage bag inwhich wheels extend and retract smoothly and with minimal manipulationby the user.

[0013] And another object of the invention is to provide a luggage bagin which wheels extend or retract in response to action by the handle.

[0014] Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is aluggage bag including an enclosure for containing articles to betransported, the luggage bag having a handle-activated wheel deploymentsystem. This system includes an extendable handle assembly having anumber of extendable members, and a cross piece joining the extendablemembers. Also included in the system is an extendable wheel assemblywhich has extendable wheels which are movable from a retracted positionto an extended position. These extendable wheel assemblies each includean axel bracket which is rotatable about a pivot. The axel bracket alsohas at least one extension tab. An activation assembly includes alinkage which connects the extendable handle assembly and one or more ofthe extendable wheel assemblies, so that extension of the extendablehandle assembly causes extension of the extendable wheels. Theactivation assembly acts to move the extension tab to pivot the wheelsto extend or retract.

[0015] Also disclosed is an extendable wheel assembly.

[0016] An advantage of the present invention is that the wheels retractto wells which are recessed so that little or none of the wheelsprotrude to catch on external objects.

[0017] Another advantage of the present invention is that the wheelsretract so that they are protected from damage.

[0018] And another advantage of the present invention is that the wheelsoperate easily by manipulation of the handle.

[0019] A further advantage of the present invention is that the luggagebag presents a streamlined and attractive profile when the wheels areretracted.

[0020] A yet further advantage is that the wheels move quickly andsmoothly from a retracted position to an extended position.

[0021] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the descriptionof the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and theindustrial applicability of the preferred embodiment as described hereinand as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The purposes and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with theappended drawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of the luggage bag of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates an interior plan view of the luggage bag of thepresent invention, with the wheels in retracted position;

[0025]FIG. 3 shows a rear plan view of a theoretical split-handleluggage bag, which has one wheel in retracted position and one wheel inextended position;

[0026]FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the extendable handle assemblyof the present invention in a retracted position;

[0027]FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified top plan view of the wheel pivotassembly in extended position;

[0028]FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified top plan view of the wheel pivotassembly in movement between an extended position and a retractedposition;

[0029]FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 7-7 in FIG.3;

[0030]FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 8-8 in FIG.3;

[0031]FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the extendable wheelassembly of the present invention in retracted position;

[0032]FIG. 10 shows a front plan view of the extendable wheel assemblyof the present invention in retracted position;

[0033]FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the extendable wheelassembly of the present invention in retracted position, as seen fromline 11-11 in FIG. 10;

[0034]FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom plan view of the extendable handleassembly of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of the extendable handleassembly of the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 14 shows a front plan view of the extendable handle assemblyof the present invention in retracted position;

[0037]FIG. 15 illustrates a side plan view of the extendable handleassembly of the present invention in retracted position;

[0038]FIG. 16 shows a partial plan cut-away view of a second embodimentof the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 17 shows a detail view of a wheel pivot assembly and cableconnection of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 18 illustrates a detail cut-away view of a portion of thetelescoping handle assembly of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 19 shows a detail view of the lower portion of thetelescoping handle assembly and cable connection of the presentinvention; and

[0042]FIGS. 20A and B show top views of a wheel pivot assembly in theprocess of being extended and retracted respectively.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0043] FIGS. 1-15 illustrates a first embodiment of a luggage bag whichwill be denoted by luggage bag 10 with a handle-activated wheeldeployment system 11. The luggage bag 10 includes an enclosure 37 forretaining and packing items to accompany the user during travels in thetypical manner of suitcases. The enclosure 37 of the luggage bag 10generally includes a front side 32, back side 34, first side 36, secondside 38, top 40 and bottom 42. The front side 32 includes the lid 44,which attaches to the body 46 of the luggage bag 10 by a zipper 48 in aconventional manner. The luggage bag also preferably includes aconventional carrying handle 24.

[0044] The handle-activated wheel deployment system 11 has generally ana number of extendable wheel assembly 12, an extendable handle assembly26, a linkage 49 and activation assembly 50 which is used to link themotion of the handle 30 as it extends and retracts to the extension andretraction of the wheels 14.

[0045] The extendable wheel assemblies 12 includes a pair of wheels 14,which are rotatably attached to a pair of axel brackets 16, which are inturn pivotally attached to a molding 18, by pivots 20. There are twowheel wells 22 into which the wheels 14 retract when not extended.

[0046] The extendable handle assembly 26 includes a number of extendablemembers 28 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1) which slide within oneanother to extend the length of the assembly 26. The extendable handleassembly 26 also includes a cross piece 30 which serves as an additionalcarrying handle and grip for extending the handle assembly 26.

[0047] The activation assembly 50 is discussed in more detail below, butserves to move the wheels 14 from retracted position to extendedposition in response to movement of the extendable handle assembly 26through a linkage 49 which couples the movement of the extendable handleassembly 26 to the extendable wheel assemblies 12.

[0048]FIG. 2 shows the interior 45 of the luggage bag 10 as seen withthe lid removed, although the mechanisms here are preferably covered bya cloth layer, which has also been removed here. The extendable handleassembly 26 can be seen to include the handle portion 30, the handleframe 28 and an activation assembly 50, which is shown in more detail inFIGS. 4 and 14. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, and 14-15, the activationassembly 50 is connected to two extendable wheel assemblies 12 by tubes54 which serve as part of the linkage 49. The handle frame 28 isconfigured in two or more pieces, in this case, an inner member 56 andan outer member 58. The inner member 56 is connected at its upper endsto the cross-piece 30. The lower portions of the inner members 56 arefree to slide within the outer member 58. The activation assembly 50includes a housing 60 and a central linkage member 62 having a crosspiece 64, two side pieces 66 and two prongs 68. Two springs 70 surroundthe prongs 68 and are compressed between the cross piece 64 and thehousing 60 thus serving to bias the cross piece 64 away from the housing60. The prongs 68 may be connected to cables 72, or a portion of thecables 72 may serve as the prongs 68 themselves. The cables 72 thenextend through the tubes 54 to the extendable wheel assemblies 12.

[0049] The wheels 14 of the extendable wheel assemblies 12 each pivotabout an axis of rotation 2 which is preferably vertical when the caseis standing upright, or in other words, is parallel to the extendablemembers 25 of the extendable handle assembly 26.

[0050]FIGS. 5 and 6 show two stages in the retraction of the wheels 14into the wheel wells 22. Both views are top plan views which have beensimplified for ease of viewing. The extendable wheel assemblies 12 eachincludes wheels 14 which are shown mounted in axel brackets 16. Thesewheel brackets 16 have extension tabs 74, and rotate about pivots 20.Referring now also to FIGS. 1 and 4, Cables 72 are attached to theextension tabs 74 of the axel brackets 16, and extend through the tubes54. These tubes 54 are fastened on one end to the activation assemblyhousing 60 and on the other to the housing 75 of the extendable wheelassembly 12. Although cables are preferred as the linkage mechanism, itis also possible to use any kind of flexible connector that can be bothpushed and pulled, such as flexible wire, or even a rigid member thathas jointed portions that allow rotational or pivotal motion at theirconnections. All such variations are contemplated by the presentinvention as will be obvious variations to one skilled in the art.

[0051] When the extendable handle 26 approaches its upper travel limit,as when extended, the springs 70 push the cross piece 64 away from thehousing 60, drawing the cables 72 back into the tubes 54, pulling theextension portions 74. This makes the axel bracket 16 rotate about thepivot 20, thus pushing the wheels 14 into extended position 76. This isthe position assumed at the beginning of operation in FIG. 5. When theextendable handle 26 is pushed down, the central linkage member 62 isalso pushed downward against the biasing springs 70. This also causesthe cables 72 to be pushed inside the tubes 54, in the direction of thedirection arrow, pushing on the extension tabs 74, causing them torotate about pivots 20, and the wheels 14 to retract. This motion iscontinued in FIG. 6, until the wheels 14 come to rest in the wheel wells22 contained in the moldings 18. These have been removed in FIGS. 5 and6 for easier viewing, but it is to be understood that they would appearto be greater in depth than the thickness of the wheels 14, so that thewheels 14 are preferably completely contained in the wheel wells 22 andare thus protected from catching on exterior items.

[0052] The frame 28 of the extendable handle assembly 26 preferablyincludes a number of detents 80, some of which are not visible in thefigures. These may be in the form of a steel ball, which is springbiased into a hole in the frame, or other such mechanism. These detents80 serve to maintain the extendable handle assembly 26 in an extendedposition 76, when pulled out, and to maintain it in a retracted position78, when pushed in. These detents also serves to insure that the wheels14 remain in retracted position 78 or extended position 76, as required,thus making sure that the wheels 14 are secure for rolling on, or thatthey are maintained out of the way.

[0053] Although the handle 26 is designed to activate both wheels onboth sides at once, FIG. 3 shows a rear plan view of a theoreticallysplit handle in which one wheel is in the retracted position 78 and oneis in the extended position 76.

[0054]FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 7-7 in FIG.3, and FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 8-8 in FIG.3. Once again, there is one wheel 14 in retracted position 78 and onewheel in the extended position 76.

[0055]FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the extendable wheelassembly 12 in retracted position 78, including the wheel 14, axelbracket 16, molding 18 and wheel well 22.

[0056]FIG. 10 shows a front plan view of the extendable wheel assembly12 in retracted position 78, including the wheel 14, axel bracket 16,molding 18 and wheel well 22.

[0057]FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the extendable wheelassembly 12 in retracted position 78, including the wheel 14, axelbracket 16, molding 18 and wheel well 22, as seen from line 11-11 inFIG. 10.

[0058] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate bottom, top, front and side plan views ofthe extendable handle assembly 26, including the housing 60, sidemembers 66, inner members 56, outer housing members 58, cross piece 30,tubes 54, and activation assembly 50.

[0059] FIGS. 16-20 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a luggage bag100 with handle-activated wheel deployment system 11 which uses amodified activation assembly 50 to move the wheels 14. Where theelements are similar in function to those previously discussed, the sameelement numbering will be used.

[0060] As before, the luggage bag 100 has an extendable wheel assembly12, which includes a pair of wheels 14, which are rotatably attached toa pair of axel brackets 16, which are in turn pivotally attached to amolding 18, by pivots 20. There are two wheel wells 22 into which thewheels 14 retract when not extended. The luggage bag 100 also includesan extendable handle assembly 26, which includes a handle housing 28 anda cross piece 30. The extendable handle assembly 26 has extendablemembers 25, which preferably include a first stage tube 102, a secondstage tube 104 and a third stage tube 106, which telescope within eachother to make a telescoping handle assembly 110. The lower portion ofthe third stage tube 106 is enclosed in an outer housing 108 which isattached to the luggage bag body by a housing fixture 118.

[0061] The activation assembly 50 includes a linkage 49 having a cable72 which slides within a tube 54, and also within a first cable neck114, which is fixed within a first cable neck housing 116, which is inturn fixed within the outer housing 108. A second cable neck 122 andsecond cable neck housing 124 are also fixed to the luggage bag body andremain stationary while the cable 72 slides within them. The cable 72has a first cable head 112, which is enlarged and a second head 120,which is also enlarged. The first cable head 112 is attached at or nearthe bottom of the third stage tube 106, and moves with this third stage106. The second cable head 120 is fixed within a movable block 126.Since the tube 54 is anchored by the first and second cable neckhousings 116, 122 the motion of the first cable head 112 as it followsthe movement of the third stage tube 106 is transmitted to the cablesecond head 120 and thus to the block 126.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 19, and FIGS. 20A-B, this motion causes theblock 126 to be pulled toward the second cable neck housing 124, whenthe third stage tube 106 moves upwards (the handle is extended). Thismotion is from left to right in FIG. 20A, and causes block 126 to pushon a first extension tab 128 on the axle bracket 16, thus urging theaxel bracket 16 and wheel 14 to pivot clockwise, as shown by thedirection arrow and thus extend. When the third stage tube 106 movesback down, (the handle is retracted) the block 126 is pushed as in FIG.20B, so that it pushes the second extension tab 130 and the wheel 14moves counter-clockwise, as shown, to retract.

[0063] Although only a first extendable wheel assembly 12 is shown, itis to be understood that the second extendable wheel assembly preferablyworks in unison with the first in response to movement of the handle,although, as before, it is possible that if a split cross-piece is used,that they may act independently of each other. Also, although cables arepreferred as the linkage mechanism, it is also possible to use any kindof flexible connector that can be both pushed and pulled, such asflexible wire, or even a rigid member that has jointed portions thatallow rotational or pivotal motion at their connections. All suchvariations are contemplated by the present invention as will be obviousvariations to one skilled in the art.

[0064]FIG. 18 shows an optional locking mechanism 150 which is includedin the handle 24, (only half of which is shown). This locking mechanismincludes a release button 152 attached to an extension 154 having aslanted end member 156, which contacts a second slanted end member 158of a connector 160. This pushes a third slanted end member 162, whichthen pushes a rod 164 which connects to a series of connecting members166 and which then retract one or more retention members 168, which arespring loaded to press into detents 170. The telescoping handle assembly110 handle is then allowed to extend to a point where the retentionmembers 168 engage a second set of detents 170, locking the handle intoits extended position. When the release button 152 is again pushes, theretention members are again released, and the telescoping handleassembly 110 is allowed to collapse.

[0065] While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

Industrial Applicability

[0066] The present luggage bags 10, 100 are well suited for applicationin transporting personal items by providing extendable wheels 14 whichaid in rolling the luggage bag 10 from place to place, and allowing thewheels 14 to retract when not in use by use of a handy and convenientmechanism. The movement of the wheels 14 is coupled to the movement ofthe handle assembly 26, as it extends or retracts, making it veryconvenient for the user, who does not need to bend over to manipulatethe positioning of the wheels.

[0067] In operation, the user of the luggage bag 100 pushes the optionalrelease button 152 attached to an extension 154 having a slanted endmember 156, which contacts a second slanted end member 158 of aconnector 160. This pushes a third slanted end member 162, which thenpushes a rod 164 which connects to a series of connecting members 166and which then retract one or more retention members 168, which arespring loaded to press into detents 170. The telescoping handle assembly110 handle is then allowed to extend to a point where the retentionmembers 168 engage a second set of detents 170, locking the handle intoits extended position. When the release button 152 is again pushes, theretention members are again released, and the telescoping handleassembly 110 is allowed to collapse.

[0068] As the extendable handle assembly 26 extends, the activationassembly 50 causes a linkage 49 including a cable 72 to slide within atube 54, and also within a first cable neck 114, which is fixed within afirst cable neck housing 116, which is in turn fixed within the outerhousing 108. A second cable neck 122 and second cable neck housing 124are also fixed to the luggage bag body and remain stationary while thecable 74 slides within them. The cable 72 has a first cable head, whichis enlarged and a second head 120, which is also enlarged. The firstcable head 112 is attached at or near the bottom of the third stage tube106, and moves with this third stage 106. The second cable head 120 isfixed within a block 126. Since the tube 54 is anchored by the first andsecond cable neck housings 116, 122 the motion of the first cable headas it follows the movement of the third stage tube 106 is transmitted tothe cable second head 120 and thus to the block 126.

[0069] This motion causes the block 126 to be pulled toward the secondcable neck housing 124, when the third stage tube 106 moves upwards (thehandle is extended). This motion causes block 126 to push on a firstextension tab 128 on the axle bracket 16, thus urges the wheel 14 topivot clockwise, and thus extend. When the third stage tube 106 movesback down, (the handle is retracted) the block 126 is pushed, so that itpushes the second extension tab 130 and the wheel 14 movescounter-clockwise, to retract.

[0070] This provides a very easy and convenient mechanism by which theuser may either extend or retract the wheels without having to bend overand manually adjust the wheels. Travelers, who may have their hands fullwith other items will appreciate its ease of operation, which may beperformed with on hand, and the compact configuration that the bagassumes when the wheels and handle are retracted.

[0071] For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that theluggage bags 10, 100 of the present invention will have widespreadindustrial applicability. Therefore, it is expected that the commercialutility of the present invention will be extensive and long lasting.LUGGAGE BAG WITH HANDLE-ACTIVATED WHEEL DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMSANFORD-SCHWENTKE, Anthony Atty. ref.: 60349-304701 (NRTHPO47A) THISCORRESPONDENCE CHART IS FOR EASE OF UNDERSTANDTNG AND INFORMATIONALPURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT FORM A PART OF THE FORMAL PATENTAPPLICATION. 2 axis of rotation 10 luggage bag 11 handle-activated wheeldeployment system 12 extendable wheel assembly 14 wheels 16 axelbrackets 18 molding 20 pivots 22 wheel wells 24 carrying handle 25extendable members 26 extendable handle assembly 28 handle frame 30cross piece 32 front side 34 back side 36 first side 37 enclosure 38second side 40 top 42 bottom 44 lid 46 body 48 zipper 49 linkage 50activation assembly 54 tubes 56 inner member 58 outer member 60activation assembly housing 62 central linkage member 64 linkage crosspiece 66 side members 68 prongs 70 springs 72 cables 74 extension tabs75 wheel pivot assembly housing 76 extended position 78 retractedposition 80 detents 100 alternate embodiment 102 first stage tube 104second stage tube 106 third stage tube 108 outer housing 110 telescopinghandle assembly 112 first cable head 114 first cable neck 116 firstcable neck housing 118 housing fixture 120 second cable head 122 secondcable neck 124 second cable neck housing 126 block 128 first extensiontab 130 second extension tab 150 locking mechanism 152 release button154 extension 156 first slanted end member 158 second slanted end member160 connector 162 third slanted end member 164 rod 166 connecting member168 retention member 170 detent holes

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage bag with an enclosure for containingarticles to be transported, and including a handle activated wheeldeployment system, comprising: an extendable handle assembly having aplurality of extendable members, and a cross piece joining saidextendable members; a plurality of extendable wheel assemblies havingextendable wheels which are movable from a retracted position to anextended position, said extendable wheel assemblies each including anaxel bracket which is rotatable about a pivot, said axel bracket alsohaving at least one extension tab; an activation assembly including alinkage which connects said extendable handle assembly and at least oneof said extendable wheel assemblies, such that extension of saidextendable handle assembly causes extension of at least one of saidextendable wheels, said activation assembly acting to move said at leastone extension tab to pivot said wheels to extend said wheels and also tomove said at least one extension tab to pivot said wheels to retractsaid wheels.
 2. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein: said at least oneextension tab includes a first extension tab and a second extension tab.3. The luggage bag of claim 2, wherein: said activation assemblyincludes a block which acts to push said first extension tab to extendsaid wheels and acts to push said second tab to retract said wheels. 4.The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein: said at least one extension tab isa single extension tab which is pulled by said linkage to pivot saidwheels to said extended position, and which is pushed by said linkage topivot said wheels to said retracted position.
 5. The luggage bag ofclaim 1, wherein: said activation acts to extend both wheels in unisonand also acts to retract both wheels in unison.
 6. The luggage bag ofclaim 1, wherein: said linkage includes at least one cable.
 7. Theluggage bag of claim 6, wherein: each of said at least one cable travelsinside a tube that is fixed in position.
 8. The luggage bag of claim 3,wherein: said cable is connected to said block.
 9. The luggage bag ofclaim 1, further comprising: a locking mechanism which acts to maintainsaid handle and said wheels in said extended position and also in saidretracted position.
 10. The luggage bag of claim 9, wherein: saidlocking mechanism is activated by a release button.
 11. The luggage bagof claim 10, wherein: said release button is included in said crosspiece of said handle.
 12. The luggage bag of claim 9, wherein: saidlocking mechanism includes retention members which are urged by springsinto detent holes.
 13. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein: said pivotsrotate about axes which are substantially parallel to said extendablemembers.
 14. A handle-activated wheel deployment system for luggage,comprising: an extendable handle assembly having a plurality ofextendable members, and a cross piece joining said extendable members; aplurality of extendable wheel assemblies having extendable wheels whichare movable from a retracted position to an extended position, saidextendable wheel assemblies each including an axel bracket which isrotatable about a pivot, said axel bracket also having at least oneextension tab; an activation assembly including a linkage which connectssaid extendable handle assembly and at least one of said extendablewheel assemblies, such that extension of said handle assembly causesextension of at least one of said extendable wheels, said activationassembly acting to move said at least one extension tab to pivot saidwheels to extend said wheels and also to move said at least oneextension tab to pivot said wheels to retract said wheels.
 15. Thehandle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, wherein: said atleast one extension tab includes a first extension tab and a secondextension tab.
 16. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim15, wherein: said activation assembly includes a block which acts topush said first extension tab to extend said wheels and acts to pushsaid second tab to retract said wheels.
 17. The handle-activated wheeldeployment system of claim 14, wherein: said at least one extension tabis a single extension tab which is pulled by said linkage to pivot saidwheels to said extended position, and which is pushed by said linkage topivot said wheels to said retracted position.
 18. The handle-activatedwheel deployment system of claim 14, wherein: said linkage includes atleast one cable.
 19. The handle-activated wheel deployment system ofclaim 18, wherein: each of said at least one cable travels inside a tubethat is fixed in position.
 20. The handle-activated wheel deploymentsystem of claim 19, wherein: said cable is connected to said block. 21.The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, furthercomprising: a locking mechanism which acts to maintain said handle andsaid wheels in said extended position and also in said retractedposition.
 22. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14,wherein: said pivots rotate about axes which are substantially parallelto said extendable members.